KANNAPOLIS — The city of Kannapolis has approved façade and site improvement grants to four local businesses on Main Street, Jackson Park Road and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

City leaders have identified these areas as key business gateways. The façade and site improvement grants will benefit the city and property owners as everyone works together to maximize the appearance of the corridors and make Kannapolis a more attractive place to do business.

“This is a win-win program,” said City Manager Mike Legg. “This is a way to provide some assistance to our small businesses that are putting forth an effort to reinvest in their property, while also making our busiest corridors more attractive.”

Grants were awarded to:

• $4,158 to Burgess Insurance & Financial Services Inc., for 1460 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., to repave their parking lot. Applicant will install new landscaping at their own expense and they have recently painted their building.

• $3,717 to Mel G. Thompson & Associates, for 303 S. Main St., to install new landscaping and sod, and to paint deck and posts.

• $3,900 to All Star Auto Lights, for 1411 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., to install new landscaping and retaining wall. They have recently painted their building and paved a new parking area.

• $8,225 to Dixie Cleaners, for 307 Jackson Park Rd., to repaint building and awning, and replace sign and lighting. They will restripe the parking lot.

The city provides a matching grant for up to 50 percent of the total project cost. The grants are part of a larger plan by the city for additional improvements which calls for landscaped medians, wayfinding and gateway signage, and addressing code enforcement issues. For more information contact Irene Sacks at 704-920-4326 or isacks@kannapolisnc.gov.